An update from Nicola Davies (Birmingham Liberal Democrats)

Birmingham Liberal Democrats <info@birminghamlibdems.org.uk>

An update from Nicola Davies

July 7, 2004 9:28 PM

Nicola Davies

It has been a few days since I last updated you on the progress of my campaign to be Birmingham Hodge Hill's next Member of Parliament. Since then my team and I have been incredibly busy.

Liberal Democrat Leader Charles Kennedy has been back to the constituency, this is contrasted with no sign of Tony Blair yet. We have also had a number of visits from Simon Hughes who won the Southwark and Bermondsey by-election from Labour back in 1983 and was heavily involved in last autumn's Brent East by-election, again where we won from Labour - he tells me this by-election has the same feel and I am glad he is spending so much time here helping us.

We have also had visits from the Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor Vince Cable who, with me, launched our Scrap Council Tax petition which is proving very popular - it can also be signed online. Other visits this week have included Sajjad Karim MEP, our first ever Asian MEP, Liberal Democrat Chief Whip Andrew Stunell and a large number of our Members of Parliament.

Apart from the numerous leaflets and knocking on doors I have also been busy with our Scrap Council Tax petition, trying to save a number of Post Offices from closure (Labour could well allow one third of Post Offices in the Constituency to close - two in Stechford are already going) and lobbying for more police to help cut crime and deal with anti-social behaviour. We have also been dealing with some of Labour's neglect and grot spots, I have been going out with teams pulling up weeds and generally helping tidy up the area - making the point that what we need to make a difference here is action and a bit of common sense!

With little over a week left until Polling Day the campaign is approaching full strength and the reception amongst the people I meet at their workplaces, shops, community and religious meetings and of course on their doorsteps has been fantastic. I know we can win this by-election, people are telling me how angry they are with the way Labour has treated them over the years.

Whilst I have had many people helping over the campaign so far I do still need a little more help, if you are interested in helping out either by displaying a poster, doing some clerical work in my office or helping with some leaflet delivery please get in touch. My office is at 641 Washwood Heath Road, the phone number is 0121 327 4969 or you can email at help@hodgehill-libdems.org.uk to offer your help or support.

Once again many thanks for your support so far - remember you can get updates on my campaign at www.hodgehill-libdems.org.uk

Yours,

Nicola